The far-right parties have been gaining significant momentum in multiple European countries, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni leading the charge. This surge in popularity has raised concerns and speculation about the potential impact of these parties on upcoming European elections and the overall political landscape in the region.
One of the key figures in this movement, Giorgia Meloni, aims to create a right-wing force that could potentially dominate in Brussels. The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, which includes parties like Brothers of Italy, Law and Justice from Poland, and Spain’s Vox, is positioning itself as a significant player in the upcoming elections. If successful, these parties could have a major influence on key policy areas such as green policies, migration, and asylum in the European Parliament.
However, the far-right surge is not without its challenges. Internal divisions and scandals within these parties have raised concerns about their ability to form a cohesive and united front. The recent expulsion of Germany’s AfD party from the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group due to controversial statements and allegations has highlighted the potential pitfalls of association with extremist views.
Despite efforts by some parties to distance themselves from the far-right label, experts like Cas Mudde argue that a core combination of nativism, authoritarianism, and populism characterizes these movements. Policies on immigration, anti-feminism, and nationalism often serve as common aspects that tie these parties together, regardless of their efforts to rebrand or reposition themselves in the political spectrum.
As the EU elections draw closer, the far-right parties continue to push their agendas, focusing on Euroscepticism, anti-EU sentiments, and challenging the status quo in Brussels. While some leaders have softened their rhetoric on leaving the EU, the overall tone remains critical of the European Union’s policies and actions.
The outcome of the European elections in June remains uncertain, but the rise of far-right parties and their increasing coordination through transnational networks pose a significant challenge to the existing political order in Europe. The ambitions of leaders like Giorgia Meloni to replicate their success in Italy on a larger scale could potentially reshape the European Parliament and its policy direction in the coming years.
